Fostering Dogs  

That's wonderful what you're doing. I did a limited amount of fostering dogs a very long time ago. I enjoyed doing it but fostered a couple of dogs that were very difficult and took a lot of training before they could be adopted out. However, most were delights to have around. I'd love to foster dogs now but I live in an apartment.

I think that getting more people to foster dogs is a wonderful idea and would have a much larger impact on addressing the kill shelter problem. I would try to get to know as many dog lovers as I could. Are there any organizations for pet owners in your area? Are there dog parks? You could take your foster dog there and be open and friendly to talk to other dog owners. When you tell them that you're fostering a dog you could say that more foster homes are needed and ask if it's something they've ever thought of doing. If so, say you'll call them to tell them more about what's involved and get their phone number. (I've learned that people are more likely to take action if they're asked directly rather than through any other kind of informative activity.) I wonder if you could put up a card on the bulletin board at pet shops in your area asking if they'd like more information on fostering. My friend used to give away samples of dog food at pet stores on the weekends and those people are big dog lovers. It wouldn't be hard to strike up a conversation with them.

If the shelter is city or county run you could do some politicking to change it to a no-kill shelter. I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when the mayor changed the city shelter to a no-kill one.

I'd like to hear how your fostering goes so hoping you'll write about it here.

I haven't fostered dogs but I have adopted them. My dogs have always been rescues. One of my two dogs, Cookie, is a dear sweet little rat terrier that had 10 owners before I adopted her. I can't think why in the world they would not want her, she's such a wonderful dog! She started her life being thrown over someone's back fence as a puppy--how awful!

It never ceases to amaze me that dogs nearly always retain their ability to love and forgive.

before my mom took a dog in because the owner doesn't want her any more. sad part about this is people who buys pets and then after the long run will find themselves not really capable of taking care of these poor souls.

people should think twice on getting animals as pets. they should realize that these creatures are not things but living ones. and they are very vulnerable and need our help to take care of them.

i think practicality wise, people will go to these shelters so that to leave there burden behind. well the burden is the animal. the kill shelter i guess only lessen the burden these creatures is suffering since they are discarded like that.

its a great thing that you are doing. taking care of these animals. unfortunately there will be a few of them who will really be killed in those shelters since there will be people who are going to to do that.

That is such a nice thing to do. I wish I could do that but I would end up keeping them all. I have 8 dogs myself and they are all rescues. I find them everywhere and take them home and can not get rid of them. The latest one I saw walking up and down my street holing her foot up. I told myself the next time I saw her I'd give her some food. She came by the hose and I ran and got some food. She was so skiny and I could tell she had puppies somewhere. So I gave her some food and everyday she would come. I would bring the bowl out and she would run twords me and jump in the air. I made her stay away because I did not want to get bit. When my husband came home I asked him to pet her and see if he could find the puppies. We followed her but never found them. Two weeks later my 4 year old said "mommy there is a puppy with that dog" and sure enough there was. Only one puppy. So I tried to find him a good home and the girls had him for a month and brought him back. He was so happy to be back I just could not bare to get rid of him again so he stayed. Now there are 8 and I love all of them. It makes me so sad thdon animlas. They have no voice and can no get help when they need it. It is up to us to take care of them. Good job what you are doing!

You are doing a great thing Java09. We took in a Staffordshire terrior that was just dumped out on the street. She was so scared, yet she would come to us and lie down in front of us. We love her a lot.

we have a foster kitty right now. i wish more people would go to shelters to get pets and not pet stores. thank god for people like you trying to save lives we have only gotten all our pets from a shelter and they have all been so loyal and loving i dont know what we would do without them. what a loss had they been killed